Who’s speeding up or slowing down?

This week's FOX Radar Gun

Lately, Joe West was in the news about as much as Alex Rodriguez. Major League Baseball would rather that not be the case. Then Saturday arrived, with a flurry of news about players, not umpires: Roy Halladay pitched a perfect game. David Huff survived a frightening A-Rod line drive to the head. Kendry Morales hit a walkoff grand slam … then broke his leg during the celebration. The Giants called up Buster Posey. The Tigers cut Dontrelle Willis. Perhaps that’s the sign of a busy June to come as we look at people and trends around the majors. - Jon Paul Morosi

Slowing down: Dontrelle Willis, Tigers

The Tigers showed great patience with Willis over the past few years, remaining compassionate as he battled an anxiety disorder. The team’s investment in him — which totaled $29 million from 2008 through 2010 — had everything to do with that. But the simple fact is that Willis has won two major league games for Detroit. The Tigers decided that they would be better off without the worry of what he could offer every fifth day. Time for a return to the National League. Radar gun reading: 65 MPH

Slowing down: Jake Peavy, White Sox

Peavy has experienced some fatigue in his throwing arm. That explains his dismal season so far — 3-4, 6.05 ERA — but doesn’t exactly help the White Sox feel any better about their rotation. John Danks is the only White Sox starter with an ERA below 4.00. Unless Peavy turns it around fast, Ozzie Guillen’s team will be out of the race in a few weeks. Radar gun reading: 68 MPH

Slowing down: Prince Fielder, Brewers

The Brewers entered Sunday on a tidy three-game winning streak … but they started the season so slowly that it hardly matters. Unless Milwaukee's pitching improves quickly, it might be time to consider moving Fielder for a package of arms. He is as far away from free agency now as Mark Teixeira was when he was dealt from Texas to Atlanta. But in order to have great trade value, Prince needs to start hitting again. He’s produced only one home run in the past two weeks. Radar gun reading: 70 MPH

Slowing down: Phillies hitters

Halladay did a huge favor for Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and the other Philadelphia hitters on Saturday. His perfection obscured the fact that the Phillies scored only once. Entering Sunday, the team had gone more than a week without scoring more than three runs in a game. With Jimmy Rollins on the shelf again, Howard and Utley haven’t done much lately. But a lineup this good can’t stay cold for too long … could it? Radar gun reading: 72 MPH

Slowing down: CC Sabathia, Yankees

May wasn't very kind to the Yankees’ ace. Last year’s ALCS MVP is 0-2 with a 6.28 ERA in his last five starts. He took the no-decision on Saturday in his latest wobbly outing. Barely two months into the regular season, observers are watching closely to see if there is any evidence of the October fatigue from last year. Radar gun reading: 74 MPH

Speeding up: Cristian Guzman, Nationals

It’s not often that a super-utility player ranks among the National League batting leaders, but that is precisely the case with Guzman. Supplanted by Ian Desmond as the everyday shortstop, the 32-year-old Guzman is now spending time at second base, shortstop and even right field. The movement hasn’t affected Guzman’s bat — he’s hitting .323 — so manager Jim Riggleman has found ways to get him in the lineup as the No. 2 man almost every day. Radar gun reading: 93 MPH

Speeding up: David Eckstein, Padres

The response came from a scout who was asked how the low-budget Padres still lead the National League West: “Pitching and Eckstein.” The Little Guy’s steadiness at second base has helped to bring out the best in a young pitching staff. As the No. 2 hitter, he’s batting around .300 and looks as pesky as ever. On one occasion last week, he helped the Padres beat the Cardinals when Oscar Salazar, Luis Durango and Chris Denorfia formed the starting outfield. Radar gun reading: 94 MPH

Speeding up: Adrian Beltre, Red Sox

The Red Sox have disappointed. Their third baseman hasn’t. Beltre is putting up his first All-Star-caliber season since 2004, when a big year in Los Angeles earned him the big Seattle payday. He scalded the ball in May, to the tune of a .346 batting average and five home runs. Looks like Beltre (and super-agent Scott Boras) made the right call by accepting a one-year contract. Radar gun reading: 96 MPH

Speeding up: Jeff Niemann, Rays

Entering Saturday, Niemann had the most victories (five) of any unbeaten starter in the American League. That tells us Niemann is a winner, in addition to his terrific numbers (tiny 2.37 ERA and 1.05 WHIP). The 27-year-old had Rookie of the Year credentials last season but didn’t win the award because of exceptional competition. Now that the Rays are 8-2 in his starts, it’s getting harder and harder to ignore the 6-foot-9 right-hander. Radar gun reading: 97 MPH

Speeding up: Roy Halladay, Phillies

Naturally, the best/most unassuming pitcher in baseball picked a Saturday night in South Florida – a time when many Philly fans were focused on hockey – to throw the second perfect game in franchise history. It seemed that someone so dominant was bound to throw a no-hitter at some point, but we can’t ever expect perfection from even the most talented pitchers. On Saturday, though, Halladay enjoyed the greatest moment of a remarkable career that doesn’t include a postseason pitch … yet. Radar gun reading: 98 MPH